By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security, Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, has reaffirmed his commitment to sponsoring education-focused programmes for youths, describing education as a vital foundation for personal growth and national development.

Salisu stated this during the presentation of laptops and N100,000 cash gifts to about 220 teachers who benefitted from his ICT capacity-building programme. The presentation took place at the closing ceremony held at the ICT Building of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta.

The senator said his modest achievements in life would not have been possible without sound education, stressing that the empowerment initiative was designed to strengthen the ICT competence of teachers and enable them to transfer digital knowledge effectively.

According to him, the programme targeted selected teachers across Ogun State to equip them with relevant ICT skills required in today’s digital-driven learning environment.

Representing Ogun Central Senatorial District, Salisu urged Nigerian youths to stop describing education as a scam, insisting that it remains a powerful tool for self-discovery, innovation and national advancement.

“It is disheartening to hear some youths denigrate education. Education is the heartbeat of development and progress in life,” he said.

The lawmaker disclosed that he had sponsored about six or seven educational empowerment programmes in the outgoing year, cutting across different levels of learning.

“We have trained undergraduate students, procured educational materials and established ICT laboratories in several public schools,” he said. “Some of these include Nawairudeen Secondary School, Obantoko, Abeokuta, and Agbado District Comprehensive High School, among others.”

He added that teachers remain the most critical drivers of learning outcomes, explaining that the latest initiative focused on strengthening their digital capacity.

“As we round off our activities for the year, we decided to upscale the ICT skills of teachers so they can be more grounded in the digital world and impact others. We will continue to collaborate with the Ministry of Education to do more for them,” Salisu said.

The senator also revealed that many award-winning teachers at both state and federal levels in recent years are from Ogun Central Senatorial District, noting that the programme also served as an opportunity to reward excellence with laptops and cash incentives.

Calling on the media to help enlighten young people on the value of education, Salisu said national wealth is now measured by human intellect rather than natural resources.

“The wealth of a nation is no longer measured by oil or natural resources, but by the intellect and knowledge of its citizens. Our youths must take advantage of opportunities in ICT and Artificial Intelligence,” he said.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today as a senator without education. It is key to national growth and development.”

In his remarks, the Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, commended Senator Salisu for his sustained investment in education, describing it as a strategic contribution to the future of Ogun State and Nigeria.

Arigbabu noted that the senator’s ICT initiatives align with the state government’s commitment to expanding digital skills and knowledge across the state.

Beneficiaries of the laptops and cash awards included Mrs. Akintunde Omotayo Olabisi, Best Teacher in Ogun State 2024; Solanke Francis Taiwo, Best Teacher in Nigeria 2025; Odeyale Esther Toyin, Second Best Primary School Teacher in Ogun State 2025; Togbe Ganiyu Gbetayi, Overall Best Teacher 2023 (Primary and Secondary); Badru Akeem Abiodun, Global Winner, Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Award; Adebayo Mary Oluwaseun, STEM Teacher, Ogun State; Odusola James, Best Administrative Teacher in Ogun State; and Tijani Fatimat Bola, Third Best Teacher in Ogun State.